– Bale and Marcelo available for the derby. However, Ancelotti is unsure whether he starts them both or not.

– Controversy surrounding the penalty decision at Elche rumbles on as Muniz is condemned in Madrid and told to leave.

– Diego Costa, the man of the moment, not called up by Brazil. Speculation the Spanish federation had asked if he could play for them, but Costa admits that he will “not be able to say no to the first call”.

– Iniesta: “There is no way between me and the club over my contract, I will continue here.”